Collapsible tray.



PATENTED APR. 21, 1903. H. R. & R. S. TU TTLE.

CULLAPSIBLE. TRAY.

No. 726,205. PATBNTED APR. 21, 1903. EIR. n R. S. TUTTLE.

GOLLAPSIBLB TRAY.

APPLIQATION FILED JUNE 19, 1902. N0 MODEL. 3 .SHEETS-SHEET 2.

PATBNTED APB.. 21, 1903.

No. 726,205. l Y H. R; av R'. s. TUTTLE.

GOLLAPSIBLB TRAY.

. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 19, 1902.v

N0 MODEL. y 3 S`HEETB-SHIET 3` .Q5/ia?- atmnefq `UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HOMER R. rlUTT'LE, OF WARDHILL, MASSACHUSETTS, AND RALPH S. TUTTLE, OF BRADFORD, NEV HAMPSHIRE.

COLLAPSIBLE TRAY.

SPECIFICATION forming partof Leuten Patent No. '726.205, desea April 21, 1903. Applioatin led tiene* 19, 1902. Serial No. 112.398. (No model.)

To a/ZZ whom it may cori/cern:

Be it known that We, HOMER R. TUTTLE, residing at Wardhill, Essex county. Massachusetts, and RALPH S. TU'rTLE, residing at Bradford, Merrimack county, New Hamp- `shire, citizens of ihe United States, have invented new and useful Improvements in Collapsible Trays, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to new and useful improvements in collapsible trays especially adapted for use hy photographers as adevel-' opiug-tray; and its object is to provide sides which are adapted to swing upward into position and which are provided with means for locking them.

A further object is to employ means for preventing liquid contained within the receptacle from escaping therefrom after the sides have been raised.

Vith the above and other objectsin view the invention consists in pending-a .base having a covering of rubber or other nonporous material, which is secured to the upper surfaces of side strips arranged along the edges of the hase. This covering serves the purpose of a hinge for the sides, which are adapted to be swung upward at angles to the base and are provided with means for holding the same in such position. 'lhe covering of the sides and base also prevents liquid contained within the tray from escaping through the joints thereof.

The invention also consists in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, showing the preferred form of our invention, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the tray in condition to be used. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section therethrough. Fig. 3 is a transverse section. Fig. 4 is a detail view of the parts of the tray detached. Fig. 5 is a plan View of a collapsed tray modi-.ned covering. Fig. 6 is a similar view of a tray with a second modified form of cover. Figs. 7 and 8 are perspective views of the trays shown in Figs. 5 and 6, respectively, and illustrating modified forms of fastenings for holding the sides closed together.

Referring tothe figures by numerals of reference, 1 is a preferably metal base rectangular in forni and having' sides 2, arranged along the edges thereof. This base and the sides are covered hy and secured to a rectangular' strip of non-porous material 3. A desired number of projections Ll are arranged upon the hase and are adapted to support plates or other devices to be placed within the tray out of contact with the hase. Springcatches 5 are secured to the ou ter faces of the sides 2 and are adapted to engage a wire 6, rectangular in form and adapted to inelose the sides and hold them together at the ends. When this wire is in position, the sides will be held rigidly in the position shown in Fig. 1, and that portion 7 ot" the non-porous covering 3 which is located between vthe ends of the sides will fold inward and prevent the escape of any liquid which may be contained within the tray. As the covering 3 is secured to the entire surface of the sides and base by means of cement or other suitable material, it serves as a hinge for each of said sides.

In order io render the tray less expensive in construction, a great portion of the nonporous covering 3 may be dispensed with hy cutting away the central portion 8 thereof, as shown in Figs. 5 and (i, or by dispensing with all of said covering with the exception of those portions which extend over the edges of the base and sides, as shown at 0 in Fig. 5.

In lieu of the wire fastening hereinbefore referred to we may, if desired, employ hooks 10, which are arranged upon the inner surfaces of the ends of the tray and are adapted to engage staples 11, projecting from the inner surfaces of the sides. When fastening devices of this character are employed, the folds 7 of the covering project outward from between the ends of the sides.

In Fig. S We have illustrated a very simple form of fastening, which comprises straps 12, secured to the outer surfaces of the ends and adapted to engage buttons 13, extending from the sides. in described will serve to hold the sides securely together in raised position, and the covering 3 will at all times prevent the escape of liquid from the'tray.

By constructing a tray in the manner herein Any one of the fastenings here-- described it can be flattened and readily packed within a small space and can also be quickly closed into operative position.

In the foregoing description we have shown the preferred form of our invention, but we do notlimit ourselves thereto, as we are aware that modifications lnay be made therein without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof, and we therefore reservethe right to make all such changes as fairly fall within the scope of our invention.

Having thus fully described the invention, what is claimed as new is l 1. A tray or vessel, comprising a bottom and side walls having a liquid-proof material secured thereto and interposed between the corner ends of the sides to form approximately funnel-shaped extended folds so as to hinge the bottom and sides together and also permit of the sides being folded on the bottom, and fastening means secured to said sides to hold the same in Vertical position, substantially as specified.

2. A tray or vessel comprising a metallic bottom and side walls, the bottom having upwardly-extended projections, a liquid-prooi` material secured to the bottom and sides and interposed between the corner ends of the sides to form approximately funnel-shaped extended folds, said material serving to hinge the bottom and sides together so as to permit of the sides being folded on the bottom, and means secured to said sides to hold the same in vertical positions, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof we aix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

HOMER R. TUTTLE. RALPH S. TUTTLE. 

